Thinkpads Forum

Cheers, guys.

I recently got a T60 (model 1952-F76) , which has the Intel Pro/1000 PL LAN controller.

I noticed that when the LAN cable is not connected to the controller, the controller does not appear neither in Network Connections, nor in Device Manager. As soon as a cable is connected, the controller appears and works fine.

I assume it's some sort of power saving feature. However, sometimes I like playing with the controller settings even when disconnected, so it's not very convenient to me.

Has anyone encountered this phenomenon? Is there a way to disable it?

Thanks.

I think I have seen the LAN controller disappear when running on battery. When I plugged the power back in, the LAN controller reappeared. As you mention, it was some kind of power saving feature.

Sorry, I don't know of anyway to disable the feature, although I suspect there may be a BIOS setting that make control this feature.

It does disappear when on battery. If you go to event viewer, you will see it marked as an error.
I have yet to figure out how to make it work all the time, but it's not something that worries me too much.

Hello,

It sounds scarry, I was in process to buy T60.. but now I hesitate.

I think LAN controller is using the CPU, like it was with WinModem. Some Intel controllers are cheaper than others.

This has been reported before. See following.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=29577

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=40519

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=43503

Thanks, GomJabbar - disabling the Deep Smart Power Down, as recommended in those links, did the trick.